Claire
EDI Manager, Nottingham Forest Community Trust
How I got here
After studying at secondary school to complete my GCSEs, I went onto sixth form college to study A levels. I took a year off in 2001 to work as a Health Care Assistant at a local hospital, working with children and young adults living with disabilities.
I started my degree at Nottingham Trent University in 2002 and left with qualifications in English and Social Theory in 2005. In 2014, after running several volunteer events, I began a temporary role as the Equality and Diversity Events Co-ordinator, a role which became permanent in 2015. Between 2014-2017, I ran over one hundred events covering a range of different topics and communities.
My role was made redundant at the end of 2017, and I began a new role as a support assistant whilst retraining as Mental Health First Aid training instructor which I qualified for in 2019, whilst also taking part in a programme called Ingenuity 19. I was successful in getting through to the final 40 people from over 700 applicants and secured funding to start my business.
In 2020, I became self-employed and ran my business The Anxiety Map Programme. I also began working alongside Nottingham Forest Community Trust to deliver their mental health programme, Tricky to Talk. In 2022, I began a new role at Nottingham Forest Community Trust as the Wellbeing and Inclusion Manager whilst also running my business.
The skills I use
The exciting stuff
I enjoy creating a programme that works to support a wide range of people. I enjoy working with my colleagues to support our local community and seeing the impact our work creates.
Career tips for young people
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Allow yourself to make mistakes, know that the steps you take may take you sideways, backwards, forwards, but it is all part of the journey.
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Follow your interests and know that there are many paths, explore what is available to you. Most importantly, believe in yourself.
Ask me about
Opportunities to study, career development, achieving goals and wellbeing.